N.M. attorney general nullifies same-sex marriage licenses

[JackieO]

N.M. attorney general nullifies same-sex marriage licenses

BY MICHAEL MARTINEZ
Chicago Tribune

BERNALILLO, N.M. - (KRT) - As gay men and lesbians rushed their wedding vows in a small yard behind the courthouse, the New Mexico attorney general stepped in late Friday to invalidate the first day of same-sex marriages in Sandoval County, which briefly became the third community in the nation to try to allow such unions
.
After 66 marriage licenses were issued, the county sheriff and a deputy stood tall in front of the county clerk's counter and blocked about 30 angry couples from obtaining licenses just 40 minutes before closing.

In Sheriff John Paul Trujillo's hand was the attorney general's advisory letter, which stated that "until the laws are changed through the legislative process or declared unconstitutional by the judicial process, the statutes limit marriage in New Mexico to a man and a woman."

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/8005125.htm

[slinkerwink]

1. oh fuck.

:-(

[ProudToBeLiberal]

2. I don't agree with the attorney general, but i respect his decision

He is the attorney genereal and he has to follow the law and the constitution. So the courts have to step in as they did in california.

[burrowowl]

5. Patricia Madrid is a her

and the NM states that marriage is between 2 contracting persons (it doesn't state the genders).
There is a loophole. It should be interesting!

[aquart]

9. Then the attorney general is interpreting the law narrowly.

Which may stand up, unless there's some clause in the constitution forbidding sexual discrimination. Is there? Or some statute?

[cjm2222]

8. I agree with you

I think the courts/legislature need to make this decision and it shouldn't be made unilaterally by one person. What's to stop a mayor or some other city official from issuing gun permits to whomever wants them?

I'm glad I live where gay marriage is legal (BC). I truly hope those who want to marry are allowed to do so. However, I don't believe one politician or city clerk should have the right to decide which laws he or she will follow.

[BiggJawn]

3. I thought NM statues did NOT specify gender?

That's why Sandoval County was issuing licenses...

This needs to escalate. for every Sheriff closing down a clerk's office, 2 more offices need to start granting licenses.

And then the happy couples need to walk in, get their license and say:
"You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaraunt..."

[roguevalley]

4. God nullifies NM Attorney General. The fascist. The AG. Not God.

[HowdyDUit]

6. MA, CA, NM...we will win this yet!

Now is the time for the Dem candidate to support Gay Marriage...or else!

[WiltedFlowerChild]

7. It's lawsuit time

NM repubs want a general referendum. They won't get it. Richardson will see to it that the NM Supreme Court decides.